Page 59 of Biker's Babygirl

But even as he denies it, history has taught me to read my brother well. And though he tries to keep his face impassive, I see the telltale flicker in his eyes. He’s worried I’ll figure it out—whateveritis, he is definitely hiding something.

“You would never do that,” I spit out. “You would never let us search and not try and help. Not unless you knew searching was pointless.”

He juts his chin in my direction and otherwise doesn’t answer.

I would have never thought I’d be squaring off against him as a grown man, ready to tear his head off, but the aloof way he looks back at me and denies what I feel in my bones to be the truth has me seeing red, DNA be damned.

“Okay, let’s all calm down before?—”

But her plea comes a few seconds too late and I’ve already charged Shep and now have him pinned to the wall with my arm at his throat.

“Guys!”

I ignore her shrill reproach. I only have eyes for my brother and a determination to figure out the truth.

“Get your hands off me,” he growls, blue eyes flashing.

I narrow my eyes at him. “When you tell me what’s going on, I will.”

“Duke, don’t make me tell you again, man.”

Before I can decide what to do, I feel myself being pulled backward. I whirl around to glare at Elvis, who lifts his hands in the “don’t shoot” position.

“You need to cool down, Duke,” he advises in his soft, firm way.

“Yeah, listen to the man,” Shep snaps.

I turn to face him, blood pumping hotly through my veins and my fists clenching again. “What did you say to me?”

“Enough!” Ellie steps in front of me, glaring for all she’s worth. She tosses one Shep’s way before spearing me with her glower. “Do you think this is helpinganyone? It’s definitely not helping Ginny, I’ll tell you that!”

Hearing her name causes the rage coursing through my body to evaporate. I deflate like a balloon and sink to the floor, staring at the carpet.

“Hey.” Ellie kneels beside me and puts a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Hey, it’s going to be okay.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Well… we’re a team. We’re not your enemies, Duke.”

“I’m sorry.”

This, a soft-spoken apology from my brother, shifts my attention. The contrition evident in the slump of his shoulders and the way his hands are jammed in his pockets removes any bad feelings I had left.

“Do you know where she is, Shep? You have to tell me.Please.” I’ve never been one to beg for anything, but this is different.Sheis different. I know in that moment in a way Icouldn’t have fully known until then, that I will do absolutely anything for Ginny, for the rest of my life.

My brother seems to hear all the things I didn’t say and nods. “I’m sorry,” he says again.

“What happened?” I surge to my feet, anticipation tingling along every nerve.

“She…” He lets out a heavy sigh and rakes a hand through his hair. “It was last night.”

Last night? That means she’s been gone for hours.My stomach sinks, but I clench my jaw to keep from interrupting him.

“I was having a little nightcap and she stumbled on me after you went to bed.”

My fingers curl into fists at my side as I silently curse myself for not staying awake longer.

“And?” Ellie prompts him impatiently.

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